Trip to cafe is

A memory cafe set up to help dementia patients has welcomed a special guest.

Work and pensions secretary Damian Green visited the Just the Ticket cafe at Tenterden station last Friday.

The Ashford and Tenterden MP praised the work of volunteers who are seeking to transform the care of dementia patients in Tenterden.

Hugh Richards, chairman of Tenterden’s Dementia Friendly Community, said the group wanted to create a pathway for newly-diagnosed patients and their careers.

He said: “The treatment of dementia is a bit like where we were with the treatment of cancer 20 years ago. Patients and their carers are like rabbits staring into headlights as they don’t know where to go next after diagnosis.”

Mr Green chatted to around 25 users of the cafe, listening to their concerns and needs.

Mr Richards said: “Damian was very supportive and understanding of the work that was being done at the cafe.”

He praised Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) for supporting the cafe, which runs every Friday and receives visits from guest groups such as Admiral nurses (who care for dementia patients) and representatives from groups like Caring All together in Romney Marsh (CARM), which supports older and vulnerable people.

Mr Richards added: “The support out there for dementia patients is phenomenal but the problem is that it’s not joined up, so in Tenterden we are trying to create signposts for people so they know where help is available.”

The Just the Ticket Memory Cafe meets every Friday in the refreshment room at Tenterden Station from 10.30am to 12.30am and for more information call Hugh Richards on 01580 291915.